Savion Williams’ Rookie Season: A Puzzle the Packers Haven’t Solved Yet
When the Green Bay Packers selected wide receiver Savion Williams in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it raised a few eyebrows. Not because Williams lacked talent-far from it-but because the team had already used a first-round pick on Matthew Golden and had a crowded receiver room to begin with.
Still, the pick made sense in theory. Williams brought a different skill set to the table: size, versatility, and special teams potential.
But as the season winds down, the theory hasn’t translated into production.
Saturday night’s overtime loss to the Bears was another chapter in a rookie season that’s been more frustrating than fruitful for Williams. Green Bay tried to get creative, lining him up in the backfield to add a wrinkle to the offense.
The result? Two carries for nine yards, and not much else.
It was the first time he’d touched the ball since Week 12, when he had a lone carry against the Vikings. That game also marked his return from a foot injury that sidelined him for three weeks.
Williams came into the league with plenty of buzz-his 6-foot-4 frame, 222-pound build, and 4.48 speed out of TCU made him an intriguing prospect. He was known for his ability to high-point the football, work the boundary, and serve as a red zone mismatch.
But so far in Green Bay, we haven’t seen that version of him. Instead, he’s been relegated to gadget plays and special teams, and fans are starting to notice.
It’s not just about the limited touches-though those are certainly part of the story. Williams has just 10 catches on 10 targets this season for 78 yards and a single touchdown.
On special teams, he’s been serviceable but unspectacular, averaging 25.6 yards on 25 kick returns. That’s decent, but not enough to carve out a meaningful role on a team still searching for offensive consistency.
What’s puzzling is how the Packers have chosen to use him. Jet sweeps and backfield touches are usually reserved for quicker, shiftier receivers like Jayden Reed or even Golden, who can make defenders miss in tight spaces. Williams, with his size and vertical ability, seems better suited for boundary routes, fades, and red zone targets-especially now, with tight end Tucker Kraft out for the year with a knee injury.
If there was ever a time to experiment with Williams in the red zone, it’s now. The Packers are thin at tight end, and Williams brings a similar physical profile with more top-end speed.
Yet, the coaching staff hasn’t leaned into that possibility. Whether that’s due to scheme fit, practice performance, or trust issues, only head coach Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich know for sure.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that other rookie receivers taken after Williams are starting to contribute elsewhere in the league. That’s always a tough comparison, but it’s hard to ignore when your own third-round pick is barely seeing the field.
And it’s not just Williams-Golden, the team’s first-rounder, is also struggling to find his rhythm. That points to a broader issue with how the Packers are developing their young receivers.
The depth chart isn’t doing Williams any favors either. Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Reed have all carved out roles, and with the playoff race heating up, the coaching staff is leaning on familiarity and experience. That leaves little room for a rookie to break through-especially one who’s missed time and hasn’t had a breakout moment.
With just two games left and postseason hopes hanging by a thread, it’s unlikely Williams will suddenly become a focal point. Barring an injury or a dramatic shift in the game plan, this rookie campaign looks like it’ll end with more questions than answers. But that doesn’t mean the story is over.
Williams still has the tools to be a difference-maker. The question is whether Green Bay can figure out how to unlock them-and whether they’re willing to try.